At Family First Health, we Care Forward so that our patients are able to count on us for quality care and can live happy, healthy lives. We work to pass on good behavior and health and are pleased to share this newsletter with you. 

More smiles coming to our community

Family First Health seeks to establish our dental department as a consistent leader in the delivery of quality, affordable dental care. Our dental directors, Drs. Joseph and LaJuan Mountain, have committed to this vision in several ways, one of which was a recent presentation at the National Primary Oral Health Conference in August.

Dr. and Dr. Mountain spoke to industry leaders and dental directors from across the United States on Family First Health's Kids Against Cavities program, which uses the Hub and Spoke Model to provide pediatric dental care at our established sites and through satellite sites, services and partnerships in York and Adams counties. The model takes a proactive approach in strengthening the community's oral health by decreasing geographic barriers to care, and furthers our goal of establishing a dental home for all children who don't already have one.

This summer, Kids Against Cavities received more than $70,000 in grants from Highmark Blue Shield, Rotary Club of York and The Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation. Their support will allow us to expand the program to 500 to 700 children enrolled in Head Start locations and school-based sites, and implement technology that will enable expanded treatment options regardless of venue of care.

Along the way, we will be chronicling the Mountains' journey as they seek to meet this community need for quality, affordable dental care. Follow along online at www.BeyondBrushing.com!

Patients receive fresh produce from The Gleaning Project

The Gleaning Project of South Central Pennsylvania is a community-based food assistance program providing fresh, local produce to food-insecure individuals and families in Adams and Franklin counties. Supported by volunteers,

Gettysburg staff Megan Lua, right, and Vonnie Wilhide hold a Gleaning Project delivery this summer at the Family First Health Gettysburg Center.

This summer, Family First Health's Gettysburg Center was thrilled to receive several deliveries from The Gleaning Project that staff was able to pass on to patients.

"I can say that [we were] very happy and grateful to be the recipients of fresh fruits and vegetables on three different occasions this summer," said Dr. Catherine Mauss, a primary care provider specializing in family practice at Family First Health's Gettysburg Center. 

Employee spotlight -- Arlene Feliciano

Joining Family First Health in 2013 as a certified application counselor, Arlene Feliciano educates others about the Health Insurance Marketplace and assists patients with health insurance enrollment.

As health care changes, Arlene believes that educational outreach must be continuous in order to reach successful enrollment among the public. For those who are unsure of what they need or where to start when looking for health care and prescription options, Arlene assists in guiding patients to options that best fit their needs. 

"The more education we are able to offer to the public, the more success we will have with enrollment," Feliciano said.

Feliciano, fluent in Spanish, uses her language skills to connect with the Hispanic community. She also supports the outreach activities Family First Health is involved in to educate the community about services offered. In her spare time, Arlene enjoys watching television shows and movies, especially black and white films. 

Mark your calendars for upcoming events!

National Wellness Week 

Family First Health is participating in National Wellness Week, Sept. 15-21, 2014. Check out Family First Health's booth at the Health and Wellness Fair from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at South Western High School, 200 Bowman Road, Hanover. 

Visit www.truenorthwellness.org/agency-events for more information on this event and others planned by TrueNorth Wellness for National Wellness Week.

Latino Health Fair & Migrant Farmworker Fiesta

Come out to celebrate our area farmworkers at the Latino Health Fair and Migrant Farmworker Fiesta from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21 at Gettysburg College. The event will educate the public about health resources that are available to Latino families in our area, including vision screenings, health education sessions, healthy eating options, tobacco cessation and healthcare service access information. 

Family First Health will have two tables set up for both outreach

"Consider the Conversation" screening

Healthy Adams County's End of Life Committee and the Wellness Arts Committee will host a free movie screening at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23. (Doors open at 6:15 p.m.) The featured film, "Consider the Conversation: A Documentary on A Taboo Subject," addresses the topic of preparing for the end of life. A panel discussion led by local experts will follow the film. To reserve your free ticket, please call Majestic Theater at (717) 337-8200.

Donate to Family First Health

When you make a gift to Family First Health, you are making an investment in the health of our community. Each gift elevates Family First Health's ability to provide affordable access to high-quality care and ensures healthier outcomes for our patients.

Please mail contributions to:

Family First Health

Attn: Courtney Lewis, Director of Development

116 S. George St., Third Floor

York, PA 17401

Or, visit us online at www.familyfirsthealth.org/support-ffh.

In addition to monetary donations, we graciously accept gifts of goods for our Nurse Partnership Program, including diapers; new Good Start formula; gift cards to local grocery stores, Walmart or Target; and car seats.

Save the date for the Extraordinary Give 

Save the date! Family First Health will be participating in The Extraordinary Give on Nov. 21, 2014. 

This 24-hour online giving event is an invitation to unite in a community celebration of giving and support Family First Health! Every dollar donated to Family First Health through ExtraGive.com on Nov. 21 supports our mission to provide affordable, high-quality medical and dental care and social services to nearly 24,000 community members.

And, every dollar donated at ExtraGive.org on Nov. 21 will be stretched with $250,000 from the Lancaster County Community Foundation, Rodgers & Associates and the Martin H. Baer Charitable Trust.

Mark your calendars. Tell your friends. When you give EXTRA, extraordinary things happen!